Improved folding table



AI nrrjrm STATESNPATENT Oiiiricn`- G. W. NELLIS, OF RICHMONDVILLE, NEW-YORK- IMPRovi-:D FOLDING TABLE.

Specilication forming part of Letters Patent No. 58,462, dated OctoberQ, 1866.

To all whom t may concern: i

Be it known that I, G. WV. NELLIs, of Richmondville, Schoharie county,State ofNew York, have invented anew and useful Improved Folding Table 5and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exactdescription thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to makeand use the same, reference being had to the accompanyingdrawings,formin g a part of this specilication, in which- Figure 1 is aninverted plan of myinvention having its leg folded underneath it; Fig.2, a side view of the same, partly in section; Fig. 3, a side view ofthe same in a folded state.

Similar letters of reference indicate like parts. j

The object of this invention is to construct a table in such a mannerthat it may, when not desired for use, be folded into a small compass,so as to be capable of being stowed away in any convenient 'placewithout employing much room.

Theinvention is moreespecially designed for those places where tablesare removed immediately after a meal, the places occupied by them beingrequired for other purposessuch, for instance, as cabins in boats, ball'rooms, 85e.

The invention consists in applying the legs to the table by means ofhinges or joints, arranged with buttons and braces, and the table-topdivided and connected by hinges, all being arranged as hereinafter shownand described, by which the table may, after being used, be readilyfolded in compact form.

A represents the top of the table, ldivided transversely to form twoequal parts, which are connected by hinges B B. rllhis top may beconstructed of boards or planks secured to bars a, which form arectangular frame, as shown clearly in Fig. l, the hinges B beingattached to the abutting ends o f the side bars, a.

Within the space formed by the bars a there are, attached by hinges orother suitable joints b, bars G, said bars having a transverse positionrelatively with the top A. Into ing down or outward from the top,holding them snugly to the latter, the legs, when thus folded andsecured in that state, being within the plane of the lower surfaces ofthe bars, so that the same may be folded in contact, as shown in Fig. 3,with the legs inclosed between them, the two parts of the top beingsecured by a hook, E, or other suitable fastening.

In adjusting the table for use the two parte comprising the top areunfolded and the buttons I turned so as to admit of the legs H beingturned outward or downward to support the top. The legs are braced inthis position by rods J, which are fitted in cleats or projections f,attached to the under side of the top and the inner sides of the bars a,and are moved or turned outward and iitted in the legs, as shown in Fig.2, the outer ends of the rods J being bent at right angles with the mainparts in order to effect this result.

In folding the table after use the braces J 'are detached from the legsand turned inward, the legs H then turned inward, and the buttons Iturned so that their ends will lit in the slots d of the bars G.

j The operation of folding and unfolding may be quickly performed, and.the table, when folded, will occupy but a small space.

It may also be manufactured at a very moderate expense, not materiallyexceeding that of an ordinary table.

In the manufacture of small tables the top A will not require to bedivided and hinged, the legs being applied to them in the same way asdescribed for the hinged or folding top, so that they may be adjusted orfolded in close contact with the under side of the top.

The folding top, when opened and adjusted for use, is stiffened by meansof slides iK, which work in sockets L, attached to the under side Vofthe top at each side of the joint, the slides button I, arranged andoperating substan- L,Wl1en the top is unfolded, being adjustedy tiallyas described, for the purpose specified.l so as to t in both sockets andextend across The above specification of my invention the joint of thetable-top. v signed by me this lltll day of July, 1866.

I claim as new and desire to secure by Let- G. W. NELLIS. ters Patent-Witnesses:

The table having :L folding top, A, slides WM. F. MCNAMARA, K, socketsL, hinged legs H, braoerod g, and ALEX. F. ROBERTS.

